Automobile buffer device



1,481,967 a, A. LYON AUTOMOBILE BUFFER DEVICE Filed March 27. 1922 fINVENTOZ; BY 9 iiti Patented den. 22, R92 1.

EN dTATES mares GEORGE ALBERT LYON, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

AUTOMOBILE BUFFER DEVICE.

Application filed March 27, 1922. Serial No. 547,328.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Gnoner. ALBERT LYON, a citizen of the United States,and resident of Philadelphia. county of' Philadelphia, State ofPennsylvania, have made a certain new and useful Invention Relating toAutomobile Buifer Devices,of which the following is a specification,taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

The invention in this case, which is a continuation in part of mycopending applications Serial No. 477,586 filed June 14, 1921, andSerial No. 517,268, filed November 23, 1921, relates especially toresilient buffer or bumper devices for automobiles or other vehicles in.which the spring steel or other resilient strips or members have clampedthereto a resilient sheet metal or other contact clamping or connectingdevice having a vertically wide contact face throughout the central partof the buffer and having at each end integral aligning flanges extendingrearward so as to partly enclose and align the spring strip attachingmembers which may be adjustably or otherwise clamped or connected tothis central connecting device or buffer front plate. Such verticallyextending front plates or clamping connecting devices may beadvantageously formed of spring steel strip or sheet metal to a of aninch thick more or less and having, if desired, vertically separatedcontact portions one of which may in some cases be substantially in linewith the buffer front strips, one or -more of which may extend more orless across the buffer front behind or adjacent the cooperating contactclamping member. These different front contact portions which may beprovided on one or both edges with stiffening flanges to give increasedstiffness especially adjacent the central part of the member may beseparated from each other vertically to the desired extent so as tosecure a front collision face which may be substantially flat, ifdesired, and which may have a vertical width of six or eight inches ormore in some cases. The ends of the front plate may he formed withsubstantially parallel flanged edges extending inward several inches soas to partly enclose and align the cooperating inturned ends of theattaching members which may, desired, have bifurcated diverging innerends adapted to cooperate with the adjacent diverging flanges o'f thefront plate so as to prevent the inturned end of the attaching memberworking outward to an undesirable extent even if the bolts or othertightening devices on the clamping members become loose. These clampingmembers may advantageously comprise a wide clamping device or clipenclosing the coopera ing parts adjacent each end of the front plate andalso a clamping bolt which may pass through the front plate inside theclip and extend through the slot formed in the bifurcated end of theattaching member so as to allow the desired longitudinal adjustment ofthe parts while securely clamping them in their final adjusted position.

In the accompanying drawing showing in a somewhat diagrammatic way anillustrative embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 1 is a frontperspective view.

Fig. 2 is a top view, parts being shown in section along the line 2-2 ofFig. l, and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged rear view taken along the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

The automobile buffer may have any desired or suit-able construction andpreferably comprises one or more pieces of spring steel strip which atthe buffer front may in some cases be arranged 'in overlapping orreenforcing position although in most cases it is more desirable to havethe inturned ends of these front strips extend toward and in line witheach other without substantial overlapping. As is indicated in Fig. 1 amodified liyon type spring buffer is shown comprising the attaching armsor members 2 of any suitable shape and construction which may. each havean integral end loop 1 and an inturned connector portion 11. This springsteel strip which may, of course, be hardened and tempered after it isshaped and bent into the desired form may have a slotted or bifurcatedinner end comprising, as shown in Fig. 3. the slot 12 so that theoutwardly flaring edges 13 of this connector end may. if desired, havesubstantially the same angle of divergencevas the inner edges M of thediverging stifi'ening edge flanges 19 of the cooperating front plate 3.

This buffer front plate may be advantageously formed of a single pieceofspring steel plate about a quarter of an inch thick more or less whichmay be blanlred out and then forged or bent in dies or otherwise so thatthe parts are given the desired form before the hardening and temperingof the plate which is usually advantageous with this construction. Inthis way the frontplate or ililtl .may have suitable stiffening orstrengthening flanges such as 9, 12 extending more or less alon theupper and lower edges of the plate while u per and lower mid-flanges 21,22 may also e formed along the edges of the central opening 8 which maybe given the substantially double diamond or double lenticular formindicated in Fig. 1, if desired. The longitudinal and rearward extentand location of these stiffening flanges of course depends considerablyon the length and thickness of the front plate which may be given atotal length suflicient to extend somewhat past the attaching members ofthe buffer while the vertical width of this con tact connecting membermay be 6 or 8 inches or more, if desired. Under these conditions theupper top flange may extend entirely across this front plate and mayadjacent the centre of the plate be iven an increased rearwardextension, the flange gradually extendin back to increasing distances soas to form t e flange point or angle as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 whichalso gives the buffer a pleasing and unique appearance harmoniz ing withits curved front face. Itis quite desirable to force or forge down asomewhat thicker or wider connecting portion 23 joining the two,mid-flanges 21 and 22 at the ends of the central opening8 as is shown inFig. 3 and this thickened portion may to some extent at least bridgeacross the angular end 24 of this opening which can thus be carried outmore sharply on the front face of the buffer.

It is usually desirable to have the inturned ends of the attachingmembers adjustably connected to the ends of the buffer 'front plate andfor this purpose it is desirable to have the front plate formed atits'ends 10 with substantially parallel aligning flanges which mayproject rearward to an extent substantially equal to the thickness ofthe inturned ends or connector portions 11 of the attaching members. Byusing an enclosing clamping device such as the forged steel clip 4substantially enclosing these parts and having its angula'rly extendingends forced together by the tightening bolt 5 so as to force theadjacent part of the clamping device against the rear face of theconnector portion 11, these two parts may be tightly held in adjustedposition although in many cases it is desirable to have an innerclamping or connecting device in connection with sucha clip. For thispurpose a clamping bolt having a square or other noncircular shank20fitting within a corresponding hole 18 in the front plate may have arounded boss or head 6 on the front side of the plate while its threadedend may cooperate with a tightening nut 17 and with a lock washer 1 6,if desired, so as to force mains? the heavy washer 15 into tight holdingengagement with the end of the connector portion 11 which may be formedwith a central slot 12, if desired. It is usually advantageous to havethis slot flaring inwardly especially where the tightening bolt 6 islocated adjacent the junction. portion 23 of the mid-flanges so thatwhen the connector portion of the attaching member is in its inwardlyadjusted position the diverging ends of the strip on each side of thisslot may pass on either side inwardly beyond the flange end so as toconsiderably promote the range of adjustment provided. This alsoprovides diverging outer edges 13 on this inner connector portion whichwhen drawn out into its outer adjusted position sho'wn in Fig. 3 areadapted to engage the inner faces 14 of the edge flanges of the frontplate so that further outward movement of the attaching member ispositively prevented and the connection thus made correspondingly moresecure.

This invention has been described in connection. with a number ofembodiments,

forms, proportions, parts, arrangements,-

tions adapted to be secured to the automobile frame members and havingbifurcated flaring inturnedconnector portions, a cooperating temperedspring steel front plate having end connector portions formed withsubstantially parallel edge aligning flanges and having a central openinprovided with mid-flanges extending a jacent said connector portions, aclamping bolt having a non-circular shank extending through each of saidconnector portions of the front plate adjacent the ends of the centralopening therein and having a threaded end adapted to extend between thebifurcated ends of the connector portion of the attaching member toclamp the same to said front plate and enclosing clamping devicesadapted to be bolted around the cooperating connector portions of saidfront plate and attaching members adjacent the ends of said front plate.

2. The automobile bufler comprising end loop attaching members of springsteel strip adapted to be secured to the automobile frame members andhaving bifurcated inturned connector portions, a cooperating temperedspring steel front plate having endfconnector portions formed withsubstantially parallel edge aligning flanges and having a centralopening provider; with mid-fianges'extending adjacent said connectorportions, a clamping bolt extending through each of said connectorportions of the front plate adjacent the ends of the central openingtherein and having a threaded end adapted to extend between thebifurcated ends of the connector portion of the attaching member toclamp the same to said front plate and enclosing clamping devices aroundthe cooperating connector portions of said front plate and attachingmembers adjacent the ends of said front plate.

3. The automobile buffer comprising end loop attaching members of springsteel adapted to be secured to the automobile frame members and havingbifurcated inturned connector portions, a cooperating spring steel frontplate havin stiffening flanges adjacent its central portion and endconnector ortions formed with substantially parailel edge aligningmembers and having a central opening provided with mid-flanges extendingadjacent said connector portions, a clamping bolt extending through eachof said connector portions of the front plate adjacent the ends of thecentral opening therein and adapted to extend between the bifurcated endportions of the attaching member to clamp the same to said front plateand clamping devices adapted to adjustably secure together thecooperating connector portions of said front plate and attaching membersadjacent the ends of said front plate.

4. The automobile bufi'er comprising end loop attaching members ofspring steel strip adapted to be secured to the automobile frame membersand having bifurcated in turned connector portions, a cooperating springsteel front plate having end connector portions formed withsubstantially parallel edge aligning members and having a centralopening extending adjacent said connector portions, a clamping boltextending through each of said connector portions of the front plateadjacent the ends of the central opening therein to clamp the attachingmember to said front plate and clamping devices adapted to adjustablysecure together the cooperating connector portions of said front plateand attaching members adjacent the ends of said front plate.

5. The automobile buffer'comprising end loop attaching members of springstrip adapted to be secured to the automobile frame members and havinginturned connector portions, a cooperating front plate having andconnector portions formed with substantially parallel edge aligning members, a clamping bolt extending'through each of said connector portionsof the front plate and adapted to clamp the connector portion of theattaching member to said front plate and enclosing clamping; devicesadapted to be secaredaround thecooperating connector portions of saidfront plate and attaching members outside of said clamping bolts andadjacent the ends of said front plate.

6. The automobile buffer comprising end loop attaching members of steelstripadapted to be secured to the automobile frame members and havinginturned connector portions, a cooperating front plate having endconnector portions, a clamping bolt ex tending through each of saidconnector portions of the front plate and adapted to clamp the connectorportion of the attaching mem her to said front plate and enclosingclamping devices adapted to be secured around the cooperating connectorportions of said front plate and attaching members.

7. The automobile bufi'er comprising end loop attaching members adaptedto be secured to the automobile frame members and having bifurcatedinturned connector portions, a cooperating spring steel front platehaving end connector portions formedwith substantially parallel edgealigning flanges extending rearwardly therefrom about as far as thethickness of the cooperating attaching member ends and having a centralepening provided with mid-flanges extendlng adjacent said connectorportions, a clamping bolt extending through each of said connectorportions of the front late and adapted to extend between the bifurcatedconnector portion of the attaching member to clamp the same to saidfront plate in laterally adjusted osition and enclosing clamping devicesa apted to be se-. cured around the cooperating connector portions ofsaid front plate and attaching members adjacent the ends of said frontplate.

8. The automobile bulfer comprising end loop attaching members adaptedto be secured to the automobile frame members and having inturnedconnector portions, a cooperating spring steel front plate having endconnector portions formed with substantially parallel edge aligningflanges extending rearwardly therefrom about as far as the thickness ofthe cooperating attaching member ends and having a central opening, aclamping device cooperating with each of said connector portions of thefront plate and adapted to cooperate with the connector portion of theattaching member to clamp the same to said front plate in laterallyadjusted position and enclosing clam ing devices adapted to be securedaroun the co operating connector portions of said front plate andattaching members adjacent the ends of said front plate.

9. The automobile buder comprising em loop attaching members of springsteel strip having bifurcated flaring inturned connector portions, acooperating spring steel front plate having end connector portionsformed with substantially. parallel edge aligning.

lift

(till flanges adapted to cooperate with the flaring inturned. ends ofsaid attaching members to prevent undesirable outward movement thereofand having a central opening pro vided with Inid-flanges extendingadjacent said connector portions, a clamping bolt extending through eachof said connector portions of the front plate adjacent the ends of thecentral opening therein and extending between the bifurcated connectorportion of the attaching member to clamp a holding washer thereon, andenclosing clamping devices adapted to be bolted around the cooperatingconnector portions of said front plate and attaching members adjacentthe ends of said front plate.

10. The automobile buffer comprising end loop attaching members ofspring steel strip having bifurcated flaring inturned connectorportions, a cooperating spring steel front plate having and connectorportions formed with substantially parallel edge aligning flangesadapted to cooperate with the flaring inturned ends of said attachingmembers to prevent undesirable outward, movement thereof, and enclosingclamping devices adapted to be bolted around the cooperating connectorportions of said front plate and attaching members adjacent the ends ofsaid front plate.

11. The one piece spring steel buffer contact and connecting plateadapted for use with spring strip automobile buffer members andcomprising vertically separated contact faces adjacent its middleportion and comprising rearwardly bent, edge stiffening flanges, theupper flange of which has gradually increasing'rearward extent adjacentthe middle portion of the plate, and comprising rearwardly extendingmidfianges extending around the central opening in said plate and havingadjacent the ends of the opening an increased Width junction flange onthe rear of the plate bridging over the front portion of the end of theopening, the ends of said plate comprising connector portions extendingoutward beyond the central opening and having substantially parallelaligning flanges extending inward a considerable distance from the plateends to promote the alignment of the cooperating strip attachingmembers.

12. The one piece spring steel buffer contact and connecting plateadapted for use with spring strip automobile buffer members andcomprising verticall separated contact faces adjacent its midlepo'rtiiin and comprising rearwardly bent edge stir fening flanges havinggradually increasing rearward extent adjacent the middle portion of theplate, the ends of said plate comprisconnector portions extendingoutward beyond the central opening and having substantially parallelaligning flanges extend ing inward a considerable distance from theplate ends to promote the alignment of the cooperating strip attachingmembers.

13. The one piece spring steel buffer con tact and connecting plateadapted for use with spring strip automobile buffer members andcomprising vertically separated contact faces ad acent its middleportion and comprising rearwardly extending edge stifiening flanges, andcomprising rearwardly extending mid-flanges extending around the centralopening in said plate and having adjacent the ends of the opening anincreased width connecting flange on the rear of the plate bridging overthe front portion ofthe end of the opening, the ends of said vplatecomprising connector portions extending outward beyond the centralopening and having edge aligning devices to promote the alignment of thecooperating strip attaching members.

14. The one piece spring steel buffer con tact and connecting plateadapted for use with spring strip automobile buffer members and comrising vertically separated contact faces ad acent its middle portionand com prising rearwardly extending mid-flanges extending around thecentral opening insaid .plate and having adjacent the ends of theopening an increased width connecting flange on the rear of the platebridging over the front portion of the end of the opening,- the ends ofsaid plate comprising connector portions extending outward beyond thecentral opening.

15. The one piece spring steel buffer con tact and connecting plateadapted for use with spring strip automobile bufier members andcomprising a substantially double lenticular opening and adjacentvertically separated contact faces near its middle portion andcomprising rearwardly extending edge stiffening flanges, the upperflange of which has gradually increasing width adjacent the middleportion of the plate and rearwardly extending mid-flanges extendingaround the central opening in said plate, the'ends of said platecomprising connector portions extending outward beyond the centralopening;

16. The one piece spring steel buffer contact and connecting plateadapted for use llltl with spring strip automobile bufler members andcomprising an opening and adjacent vertically separated contact facesnear its middle portion and comprising rearwardly extendin edgestiflening flanges, the upper flange of which has gradually increasingwidth adjacent theniiddle portion of the plate and rearwardly extendingmid-flanges adjacent the central opening in said plate, the ends of saidplate comprising connector portions extending outward beyond the centralopening.

GEORGE ALBERT LYUN.

